All Quiet on the Western Front

All Quiet on the Western Front

[German] Erich Maria Remarque

Shanghai Literature and Art Publishing House

2021-01-01

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Summary

"We have just begun to love life, but we have to fire at it all." Translated by Jiang Yixin, the translator of "Siddhartha" and "When the Stars Shine", a direct translation from the original German version in 1929. 6,000-word postscript, especially including Lei...

Highlights

The following are some wonderful sentences or paragraphs selected from the book All Quiet on the Western Front. These contents are either profound, unique, beautiful, wise, or creative, and we hope they can meet your needs. 1. "We are no longer young people, but old soldiers. We no longer have endless vigor, but only feel our aging. We no longer march with our chests and bellies bulging, but hunched over. Our faces have lost their former luster, leaving only pale faces." - This sentence deeply reveals the physical and mental destruction of the soldiers by the war. 2. "He died in July. That morning, he was still complaining about the evils of the war. But by eleven o'clock, he had been shot and fell. That's it. He had no choice." - Through simple narration, it shows the cruelty of war and the fragility of life. 3. "Death is an order, and we must obey it after all." - A unique perspective, comparing death to an order, highlighting its irresistible characteristics. 4. "War turns each of us into a murderer, a robber and a beggar." - This sentence profoundly reveals the impact of war on human nature and the destruction of morality. 5. "Whenever night falls, we forget the horror of the day. In the darkness, we seem to be back home, back to the peaceful times." - This sentence expresses the soldiers' deep desire for peace. 6. "War is a huge meat grinder that devours lives mercilessly." - This sentence is a metaphor full of wisdom and vividly depicts the horror of war. 7. "On the battlefield, friendship is the only thing that can give us comfort." - This sentence emphasizes the importance of emotional connection between people in war. 8. "We have learned how to survive in fear and how to find hope in despair." - This sentence reflects the tenacity and creativity of soldiers in war. 9. "Those who ordered us to the battlefield are far away from the smoke of war. They are in a safe place and decide our life and death." - This sentence reveals the inequality in war and the indifference of the powerful. 10. "On this cursed land, only death is fair." —— A unique and profound viewpoint, reflecting the cruelty and ruthlessness of war. 11. "War makes us understand that life can be so simple: as long as we are alive, we are happy." —— Re-examine the value of life from the perspective of war. 12. "On this battlefield full of mud and blood, we are still looking for that glimmer of human brilliance." —— Finding hope in despair, showing the tenacity of human nature. 13. "We are not fighting for the country, but for survival. But this does not mean that we don't love our country." —— Distinguishing between war and patriotism, expressing the soldiers' complex emotions. 14. "Whenever night falls, the starry sky becomes our only comfort. We look up at the starry sky and imagine the warmth of our hometown." —— Beautiful description, conveying the soldiers' deep longing for their hometown. 15. "On the battlefield, every breath may be the last. This makes us cherish every moment of life more." —— The profound experience gave the soldiers a deeper understanding of life. 16. "War teaches us how to love, because love is our only weapon." - Love is given a new meaning and becomes a source of strength in war. 17. "In this ocean of death, each of us is an island." - A unique metaphor that vividly depicts the loneliness and helplessness of soldiers in war. 18. "War is a game without winners, only survivors and the dead." - A profound insight that reveals the nature of war. 19. "We are not fighting for glory, but for survival. But in the process, we may find our true selves." - Finding oneself in war reflects the growth and transformation of soldiers. 20. "Although war brings us endless pain, it also makes us understand what true courage and sacrifice are." - The two-sided nature of war is reflected here, which not only brings disasters but also gives birth to heroes.

About the Author

Title: Erich Maria Remarque: A Literary Witness of War and Peace Erich Maria Remarque (1898-1970) was a German writer known for his profound insights into war and human nature.< His work All Quiet on the Western Front is one of the most influential literary works of the 20th century and is still widely read and discussed today.

Basic Personal Information Remarque was born in Osnabrück, Germany, to a humble family background, his father was a bookbinder.< Remarque spent his childhood and adolescence in a small German town, an experience that had a profound impact on his writing style and choice of themes.

Education and Career Background Remarque developed a strong interest in literature at a young age, but his education was not systematic.< He was conscripted into the army during World War I and experienced the cruelty of war, an experience that had a decisive influence on his later writing.

After the war, he worked in a variety of professions, including teacher, journalist and editor, which enriched his social perspective.< Writing Career Remarque's writing career began in 1929, when his first novel, All Quiet on the Western Front, was published and caused a sensation.

The novel is narrated in the first person and tells the story of a young soldier's mental journey in World War I and the destruction of humanity by war.< Remarque's writing style is direct and real, and his works are full of reflections on war and desires for peace.

Style and Theme of Works Remarque's works are known for their realistic style.< He is good at showing the inner world of characters through delicate psychological descriptions and vivid scene reproduction.

The themes of his works focus on war, love, human nature, etc.< , especially his profound reflections on war, making him one of the most important war literature writers in the 20th century.

Personal Life Remarque's personal life was quite rough.< His political stance and works made him a thorn in the side of Nazi Germany, and he was forced into exile in 1933.

He continued to write during his exile, but his works were banned in Germany.< Remarque spent the rest of his life in Switzerland, where he lived a relatively low-key life, but his works had a huge impact worldwide.

Social Impact Remarque's works had a profound impact on 20th century literature and society.< His works have been translated into many languages and sold millions of copies.

All Quiet on the Western Front was adapted into a movie, further expanding its influence.< Remarque's writing reveals the cruelty of war and the destruction of human nature, and has a positive impact on the anti-war movement.

Quotes and Comments The New York Times once commented on Remarque's works: "His novels are one of the most profound literary reflections on war.< " German literary critic Hans Magnus Enzensberger believes that "Remarque's writing style is concise and direct, and his works have a strong sense of realism.

" Latest News Although Remarque has passed away for many years, his works are still widely read and studied.< In recent years, with the increase in commemorations of World War I and World War II, Remarque's works have once again become the focus of public attention.

His works have been re-evaluated and interpreted to adapt to new social and cultural contexts.< In general, Erich Maria Remarque is a great writer whose works not only reveal the cruelty of war, but also express the desire for peace.

His life and writings reflected a profound understanding of human nature and a deep commitment to social justice.